Balancing Public Health and Individual Liberties:
Exploring New Options in Outpatient Treatment
Sponsored by the University of Maryland
Schools of Law, Medicine, and Social Work

April 25, 2011
8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
University of Maryland School of Law
500 W. Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

The principles underlying the involuntary treatment of persons with mental illness seek to balance the clinical needs of individuals, their legal rights, and the safety of the community. Many states have implemented assisted outpatient treatment programs or other forms of outpatient commitment, but Maryland has not.

The University of Maryland Schools of Law, Medicine, and Social Work are co-sponsoring this conference to bring together interested stakeholders to learn how assisted outpatient treatment works, to evaluate alternative approaches, and to assess whether there is a consensus on a path to improving access to mental health care in Maryland.

The morning session will include opening remarks and presentations by Dr. Marvin Swartz, Professor of Psychiatry at Duke University School of Medicine, and Professors Amanda Pustilnik and Richard Boldt from the University of Maryland School of Law.

During the afternoon session participants will engage in a focused discussion about a framework for moving forward on this complex issue.

This event is supported by a grant from the Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO), the Law & Health Care Program, and The Rueben Shiling Mental Health Law Fund. There is no fee for this event, but registration is required. Space is limited.
For additional information please contact Stacy Smith at 410-706-0528 or by email at ssmith @ law.umaryland.edu